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On April 14 Vern Ross of the PGC will address
our House Game and Fisheries Committee for an open
discussion about our current state of affairs. The
scuttlebutt is already knee deep about this probably
historic meeting between our “browbeaten” politicians
and the “rigid” PGC bureaucracy. Harrisburg leaks have
already set the stage. Our politicians will clobber
Vern about the ongoing deer eradication program. Vern
will fire back that the intent is to fix deer
management, but the agency needs a license increase to
do so.
Many of us realized years ago that this
eventual showdown was inevitable. While the PGC’s
“scorched earth” deer management program was fueling the
fire of literal disdain for the Agency, it was just a
matter of time before the Agency would be forced to
listen. Actually, a brief review of history confirms it
is usually license increase time when our legislators
force curative measures upon the PGC. This time should
be no different.
Providing a general license increase for the
PGC at this moment in history to maintain the status quo
would be a catastrophic error. We should just say
“no”. Using this opportunity to drive home the
complaints of our sporting class and demand changes is
the appropriate course. Unfortunately, this is how
things are done in Harrisburg, if you want them done.
What I am thinking will change the course of
deer management and strengthen our input with the PGC
for all posterity. It is time to implement “One and
Done”. It is time to end our current doe permit system,
which puts multiple permits in the hands of hunters.
This first pass, second pass, third pass system is utter
nonsense and quickly leads to over-harvest. It is time
to provide a buck tag and one doe tag with the license
when you purchase it. Special Regulations Areas should
be the only place where additional doe tags are
available. Deer hunting should be regulated by time,
not by the number of permits. Let us remove the profit
incentive to issue more doe permits once and for all.
I am envisioning a new system similar to
Virginia’s deer management program. I radio-interviewed
Matt Knox, VA Deer Project Leader about two years ago.
Each hunter is given a doe permit with his or her
license in Virginia. Doe season is open for the full
two weeks of their rifle season on “private land only”.
Think about that. No more private land people
complaining about too many deer. They have been given
the tools. However, on “public land” doe season in
Virginia is one day, the last day of the season.
Certainly, we will not over-harvest with one day of
concurrency. I seem to recall one doe per hunter on
state land in VA is a state law passed by their
legislature.
Frankly, I didn’t call Matt Knox to
determine if changes occurred since our interview. It
wouldn’t matter for this column. My point is a
completely new system is warranted. Every hunter will
get a buck and one doe tag in their license. The PGC
will have the flexibility to regulate pressure by time.
By the way, Virginia has check stations. Private land
hunters are required to check their deer to get an
additional permit. One can keep shooting does for the
full two weeks on private land if you check them in. Of
course, we all know private land hunters will not
over-harvest their deer herd. People manage deer
socially, not biologically.
I realize there are many other critical
issues that need to be addressed by our legislators and
the PGC. Our Commissioner System is a disaster and has
evolved into a political sham. Our habitats are in
desperate need of rehab. We are not cutting enough
timber. Our forestry paradigm favors veneer wood
production, not wildlife populations or plant
diversity. Citizen Task Forces maybe the real long term
solution to deer management. Albeit, the bottom line is
two weeks of concurrency on public land with multiple
permits in the hands of hunters is destroying our public
land deer herds.
We should not allow the PGC to talk their
way out of this one. Without implementing positive
changes beforehand, our response to their cry for relief
should mimic their concerns for us.
We should just say no.
Jim Slinsky is the host
and producer of the "Sportsman’s Connection", a
nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a
station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at
www.outdoortalknetwork.com |
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